Page 156 of Sheltering You

“…should hold for now,” Daniel was saying.

With him, Bryan, Jeremy, Mom, and Dad congregated around the giant island, all busy getting out all the food they’d prepared for today’s party. Someone had called Uncle Gavin and the rest of the other Wright family to cancel the party, but the food would need to be eaten, the sooner the better, as far as Derrick was concerned.

He’d managed to gulp half a cup of coffee and swallow a donut that morning before the police showed up, but then he’d gotten pulled into all the things that needed to be done.

“It won’t keep out the cold.” Jeremy held a sleeve of crackers in one hand, four of them in the other, ready to chow down. The eighteen-year-old looked ravenous. He shoved a cracker in his mouth, then spoke around it. “At least rain and snow won’t get inside.”

“You were a great help today.” Daniel squeezed his son’s shoulder. “And last night. I’m so proud of you.”

Jeremy rolled his eyes, but that didn’t hide his pleasure at his dad’s words.

“Where is everyone?” Derrick asked.

“Grant and Summer are in one of the rooms upstairs.” Dad’s lips quirked at the corners. “It’s hard to believe the worrier he is right now after the warrior he was last night.”

“I thought you said Summer’s fine.” Derrick glanced from his father to Daniel, the other doctor in the family.

“Just needs to rest, like all of us.” Dad shook his head, pretending exasperation he obviously didn’t feel. “Grant refused to leave the bedroom until she fell asleep.”

Derrick was about to ask about Jasmine when voices had him focusing on the stairs. Camilla, Zoë, and Sophie came down, covered in a fine film of white dust. Camilla was leaning heavily on the handrail and using the vacuum cleaner with her other hand like a walking stick. Zoë wore a face mask, probably a holdover from the pandemic, and held a bucket and cleaning supplies, and Sophie had an armful of sheets and blankets.

Daniel hurried toward his wife. “What are you doing, love? You’re supposed to stay off your ankle.”

“It already feels better.” Camilla handed him the vacuum. “That probably needs to be wiped down before we put it away. Fire extinguisher dust gets on everything.”

“So I see.” He set the vacuum aside and brushed dust out of her hair. “You wore a mask, right?”

“Yes, doctor.” She lifted her wrist, where a mask dangled.

“We told her to rest. She’s a stubborn one.” Sophie continued toward the stairs that led to the basement. “We’ll need to wash all the bedding.”

Bryan grabbed her load. “I’ll take it, hon.”

“Get those started,” Mom called after him, taking the cleaning supplies from Zoë. “We want to get it all finished before we leave, which we’ll do right after lunch.”

Her mention of lunch was greeted with a chorus of yesses and amens.

Nobody heard Derrick’s stomach growling, but it was on board with that.

Where was Jasmine, though?

Movement on the far side of the room caught his attention as Jasmine pushed up from the sofa. She tossed away a blanket and unfolded her legs.

Dad leaned close and lowered his voice. “I tried to get her to go upstairs to rest, too, but she refused. I don’t know why.” But his expression told Derrick he had a good guess—and it had everything to do with him.

Derrick pretended not to see as he crossed the room. “How you doing?”

She stretched like a cat awakened from a nap. “I’m good.” But the word faded on a yawn.

“More hungry than tired?” Her eyes lit, and he grinned. “Mom said something about food.”

He held his hand out, and she took it and stood, keeping her hand in his as if it belonged right there. Which it did.

Dad let out a high-pitched whistle, calling the family to gather, and those not already there made their way to the first floor, even Summer, who preceded Grant.

“Honey.” Grant followed her. “Let me bring you a plate in bed. You can rest⁠—”

“That’s enough.” Summer’s voice was loud as she rounded on her husband and jabbed her finger into his chest. “I’m hungry. I’m rested, and I’m fine. If you suggest I go back to bed one more time, I’m going to punch you. Got it?”